Chapter 1

Neo, would you stop pacing the freaking room?” Sasha asked, laughing her guts out.

Her big brother had grown more hyperactive as his wedding with Anna Sabalenka drew nearer and nearer. It had started with Neo waking earlier than normal and sleeping for only 3-4 hours a day, and had slowly transcended into him drinking more fluids than usual because he was constantly parched by sheer panic, and now the 28 year old couldn't sit his butt down. Sasha had watched, with glee, as he transformed into this frantic being. Was this what marrying the love of your life did to you?

“I've handled pressure before, Sasha.. My first day in business school, the first time I pitched a business proposal, my first public speech.. I've handled situations with actual implications.. But I can't seem to get a fuckin grip because of my own wedding, Sasha,” He said.

He was pacing the exquisite McKinney living room, his hands behind his back, in his sparkling white shirt, suit pants and shiny brogues. Sasha, who was in designer joggers and sneakers and slouched on a couch, listened before replying:

“The CEO of the McKinney Empire shakes in his boots for nervousness.. Sweet headline.”

Neo darted a fierce look in her direction, which drew more laughter from her. Then, he pounced on her, softly banging a nearby cushion on her temple. The age difference between them was just a couple of years, so they'd always interacted like twins. While Neo had been groomed to take over the family business, Sasha had been allowed to pick and choose a career, and she'd decided to delve into entertainment. But despite their differences in career paths, they'd remained the tightest of siblings.

Finally, Neo let up and sat beside her and they immersed themselves in deep discussion.

“But, really, you're that nervous?” Sasha asked.

“I am, Sasha,” Neo replied, “And I believe it's because of the implications of the decision. I've worked all my life in order to bag all the qualifications necessary to be the CEO of the company but yet, for so many years, marriage has been the only thing that's missing. And now I'm going to be getting married and simultaneously achieving a lifelong dream. I guess this is what it feels like to be merely fingertips away from your destiny.”

Sasha nodded with a proud smirk on her face which quickly disappeared as she asked:

“I do hope you're not using Anna, then, as a mere means to an end.. Right?”

As she asked him this, Neo folded his arms and looked up at the ceiling before giving a scary answer:

“I can't answer that, Sasha..”

***

“... And when the priest says, ‘You may kiss the bride'?”

“Damn, Irina, I guarantee you, I will own that moment so much, you'd think he's the bride!”

And, then, hysterical laughter rang out.

The two ladies were Anna and Irina Sabalenka, blood siblings, and they were riding in Anna's black Corvette, on their way to pick up Anna's wedding gown for her impending wedding to her childhood sweetheart, Neo McKinney. Irina, the younger sister, was billed to be the chief bridesmaid, and the excitement in the two ladies’ hearts was evident.

“Seriously, though, it would be the happiest day of my life, Irina.. I almost can't believe that it's actually happening,” Anna continued, “I almost have to pinch myself.”

Irina gently tapped her sister's right arm, while it was on the steering wheel, and said reassuringly, “You best believe that it IS happening, Anna.. And I'm glad I'm around to witness it and even be part of it.”

“Yeah, me too.. It just feels surreal, given everything I had to go through to get to this point,” Anna said, nodding her head.  

“Why do you say that like you had to go to hell and back?” Irina asked, genuinely surprised.

“You wouldn't believe the places I've been, Irina, literal places and figurative places.. But that's by the way.. How's Zachary?”

Anna had been dead serious, like someone who knew exactly what she was talking about, and this question was a clear deflection, but Irina pretended not to have noticed, choosing instead to answer the question.

“Oh, he's doing good.. Well, okay, he's not doing good.”

“In the financial red again, huh?” Anna asked with a look on her face that said “Here we go again”.

Zachary was Irina's boyfriend, a man who could never get out of debt. He was a gym instructor who earned a respectable income, but Zachary always craved things he couldn't afford; the penthouse where he lived, for example. So his debtors list was longer than the Eiffel Tower.

“I wonder why you waste time on that man, Irina, he's such a bum,” Anna continued with a shake of her head.

“Anna, be nice.. Zachary has his issues, but who doesn't? Besides, he's a good guy.. He treats me nicely, and that matters, right?” Irina said, wishing Anna would let the issue go. But she didn't.

“You’re stuck on him because he's good in the sack, Irina, and that's great, but you and I know that good dick is not everything.. You need a man who is capable of handling his finances, because it's a sign of maturity.. Zach can't manage his money or make wise spending choices, he's a baby. I mean, look at Neo..”  

“..Yeah, yeah, Anna, Neo is so wonderful, but I don't think I need to remind you that we're not all billionaire heirs and not all men get to spend daddy's money,” Irina shot back, rolling her eyes.

Anna licked her lips and smiled while navigating a turn: Irina was hurt.

Irina was now looking at the window. She hated fighting Anna, but she'd had to defend her man. Besides, what she’d said was true. Neo McKinney, Anna's groom to be, was heir to the $111bn hotel and casino empire. He'd been born with a golden spoon, if there ever was one, and the man had never been broke! Zach, on the other hand, had been raised in an orphanage and had struggled all his life. It was unfair of Anna to speak as though Zach and Neo had been dealt the same cards by the universe. How could anyone even compare the two?

“Look, Irina, you know I didn't mean to insult Zach. Yes, it's unfair to compare a man who's always lived in billions to one who's had it rough, but I'm just trying to look out for you.. You're here, supporting me, about to be my chief bridesmaid, and you even went to the trouble of coming with me to get my gown, so it's only right that I take interest in your own affairs.”

“Hmph,” Irina scoffed, “I can take care of myself. Thanks for your concern, Mrs McKinney..”

Anna laughed. Irina could be such a baby. In a bid to lighten her little sister's mood, she poked at her ribs a little bit; it had always brought a smile to Irina's face. Irina fought the urge to laugh initially but after half a dozen rib pokes, she was hysterical. But then, Anna watched as the look on Irina's face morphed from joy to horror as she began to shriek:

“Anna, watch the road! Anna, watch the blasted road!”

Anna turned just in time to see that a truck, seemingly dealing with failed brakes, was headed their way.. Fast.

“Fuck, no..” were the only words Anna managed to muster before the truck rammed into them. The car's airbags were automatically deployed, and although they cushioned the effect of the crash, the two sisters were bleeding and unconscious.